Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Synthesis And Ir Spectroscopic Study Of Complexes Of Selected 3d-Metals With 2-(Phenylmethyl)-1h-Benzimidazole, Gulnoza O. Babayeva, Gulbeka G. Mamatova, Daminbek A. Ziyatov, Lola Sh. Makhmudova, Shahlo Sh. Daminova

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The aim of this study was the synthesis and structural investigation of coordination compounds of selected 3d-metals with 2-(phenylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (FAB) using IR spectroscopy. Complexes of copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II), and zinc(II) with the general formula [M(FAB)₂Cl₂], as well as a complex [Co(FAB)₂(ac)₂], were synthesized. IR spectroscopic analysis revealed that FAB coordinates to metal ions through the nitrogen atom of the benzimidazole ring. Shifts in the ν(C=N), ν(C-N) bands and the appearance of new bands in the 580-430 cm⁻¹ region corresponding to ν(M-N) and ν(M-Cl) confirm the formation of metal complexes. It was established …

Technological And Mechanical Properties Of Polyethylene Filled With Nano-Sized Calcium Carbonate, Ilyos M. Makhmudov, Ravshan I. Adilov, Muzafar G. Alimukhamedov, Farangiz B. Izzatullayeva

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Currently, one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to modify the properties of polyethylene is to introduce various fillers of organic or inorganic origin. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of the concentration of nanosized calcium carbonate on the technological and physicomechanical properties of polyethylenes of various origins. In the work, we used two grades of polyethylene: HDPE (273-83) and LDPE (10803-020) produced by Kazanorgsintez OJSC. The following were used as nanofillers: nanosized calcium carbonate in the form of a compound of the Nano-cal NC-K0117 brand made in China. The dependence of the physicomechanical properties …

Additional Loss On Ignition Of Cement Raw Mixes At High Temperatures, Geun-Seong Lee, Farrukh B. Erkinov, Mastura Kh. Aripova

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Loss on ignition (LOI) of cement, raw materials and raw mixes in cement industry is specified as the weight loss at 900~1000 ^oC and 15~30 minutes in the standards of each region (GOST, ISO, ASTM, JIS, KS) in the world, and the clinker yield produced from the raw mixes feeding to the kiln process is generally derived from the LOI. The kiln conditions are significantly different from those specified in the standards, because the material temperature is up to 1450 ^oC and the residence time is about 15 minutes above 1000 ^oC in the kiln burning process. …

Composition Of Porcelain Mass Based On Clay Shale From The Dzherdanak Deposit, Ripsime V. Mkrtchyan

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Known sources of high-quality raw materials are depleted. To meet the growing demand for porcelain products, natural raw materials from new deposits are being studied. The aim of the study is to develop a composition of porcelain mass for household porcelain based on unconventional raw materials - clay shales of the Dzherdanak deposit. Compositions of hard porcelain based on clay shales and other components of local natural raw materials with and without magnesium oxide have been developed. As a result of X-ray and electron microscopic studies of the porcelain structure, it was determined that the crystalline phases in the porcelain …

Solvent- And Binder-Free Additive Manufacturing Of Polymer-Derived Ceramics: Rheological Tuning And Structural Performance, Laxmi Sai Viswanadha, Jeremy Watts, Mohammad Naraghi

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic matrix composites are widely used in aerospace applications due to their high strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, traditional machining methods make it challenging to fabricate complex shapes. This study presents a solvent-free and binder-free direct ink writing (DIW) method for producing SiC/SiOC composites using polycarbosilane SMP-10, a preceramic polymer that acts as both the ceramic precursor and the liquid phase, thereby eliminating the need for volatile solvents and sacrificial binders. By adjusting the SiC content, printable ink formulations were developed, and their flow properties were analyzed. The influence of geometric factors, such as inter-wall …

Understanding Structure-Property Relationships Within Polyolefin-Derived Vitrimer Systems, Mikaela Sadri

Dissertations

Polyolefins are extremely ubiquitous materials due to their satisfactory material properties, ease of synthesis, and low cost. Unfortunately, their extensive use has led to a global plastic waste mismanagement problem. As such, notable efforts have recently focused on converting these commodity polymers into vitrimers, or dynamic networks, to extend their use-life and tailor their properties. However, the fundamental polymer physics of these emerging materials, remain largely underexplored, hindering their widespread implementation. To address this challenge and enable a more sustainable future, the overarching goal of my dissertation research is to understand the fundamental structure-property relationships within complex polyolefin-derived vitrimer systems. …

Influence Of Mixing Duration And Absorption Characteristics Of Superabsorbent Polymers On The Fresh And Hardened Properties Of High-Performance Concrete, Yu Cun Gu, Kamal H. Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study investigates the combined influence of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) with distinct absorption kinetics and extended mixing sequences on the rheological, mechanical, and transport properties of high-performance concrete (HPC). Two SAPs—an ionic acrylamide-co-acrylic acid copolymer (SAP-P) and a non-ionic acrylamide polymer (SAP-B)—were incorporated at an internal curing level of 100%. The impact of extended mixing times (3, 5, and 7 min) following SAP addition was systematically evaluated. Results showed that longer mixing durations led to increased superplasticizer demand and higher plastic viscosity due to continued water absorption by SAPs. However, yield stress remained relatively stable owing to the dispersing effect …

Investigation Of Solid-State Reactive Sintering And Rapid Laser Reactive Sintering For Al-Doped Li7la3zr2o12 Solid-State Electrolyte, Aaron Santomauro

All Dissertations

As a society, we’ve exhausted an extreme amount of fossil fuels and put an overwhelming strain on Earth’s natural resources. From this, it is critical to think about the successful future of our planet and ourselves by developing energy devices such as all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs). These devices offer a greener and more efficient alternative to power our daily lives, such as electric vehicles (EVs), portable electronics, medical devices, grid-scale energy storage, and aerospace/aviation. ASSLIBs are an excellent alternative to liquid-state batteries, which pose dangerous safety concerns (e.g., flammability, electrolyte leakage, etc.). These ASSLIBs are known to have generally high …

Hardware And Software Design For A Portable Surgical Training Simulator, Victoria Nelson

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

More than 51 million surgeries are performed on patients annually in the United States. That number grows to 310 million surgeries performed globally each year. Most surgeons go through a minimum of five years of residency – where they train and hone their surgical skills. It is important during this time, and throughout their careers, that they get plenty of practice. Surgical training is time intensive, expensive, and frequently under-resourced. There are finite amounts of surgical training modules for students to share at their facilities. The problem of getting adequate surgical training time continues to exist after surgeons begin their …

Controlling Electroless Deposition On Polymer Interfaces Towards Discrete Functional Particle Synthesis, Grecia Pierina Alvarado Munoz

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Electroless deposition is a process that facilitates the formation of metal layers on surfaces through the reduction of metal ions onto a surface in the presence of a sacrificial reducing agent. This process can be applied to synthesize conductive metal layers on insulators such as glass or polymers. The kinetics of heterogeneous deposition depend on the interfacial surface chemistry, including the presence of added catalyst materials, as well as the bulk chemical environment, such as the concentration of metal ions and sacrificial reductants. Furthermore, the homogeneous formation of metal nanoparticles may compete with the deposition reaction, adversely affecting the control …

Discovery Of High-Performance Cathode Materials For Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells, Liang Han

All Dissertations

Environmental pollution and rapid energy consumption have become common problems in global development and will continue to grow with the world population. PCFCs use proton-conducting ceramics as electrolytes, with low activation energy and high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures, enabling them to operate at intermediate-temperature conditions, which can effectively solve the problems of poor stability and high cost of exotic materials of traditional solid oxide fuel cells. However, as the operating temperature decreases, the electrocatalytic activity of the cathode decreases significantly, seriously affecting PCFC’s performance. Therefore, developing high-performance cathode material suitable for working under intermediate-temperature conditions has become the key …

Advancing Lithium-Ion Batteries Through Exploration Of Novel Physico-Chemical Phenomena, Peshal Karki

All Dissertations

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) power a wide range of modern devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles. This dissertation integrates materials characterization and electrochemical testing to develop novel Si-based electrode materials, investigate separator effects, and improve electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) modeling. First, I synthesized Si@CC composites using bio-based carbon sources and discovered a novel in situ disorder reduction in the amorphous carbon cloud during cycling, attributed to Si volume fluctuations and mesoporous carbon structure, which enhanced capacity retention. A binder-free electrode (Si@CC@BP) using bucky paper further improved gravimetric and areal capacities while reducing weight and manufacturing complexity.

Next, I investigated how separator …

Crevice Corrosion Mechanisms Of Cocrmo Alloys In Orthopedic Implants: Retrieval Analysis, Nano-Tribocorrosion And Cellular Responses, Hwaran Lee

All Dissertations

Mechanically assisted corrosion and non-mechanically (chemically) driven corrosion in modular junctions of orthopedic implants using cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys remain clinical concerns and may contribute to implant failure. The underlying corrosion mechanisms are not yet fully understood, leaving a critical research gap. We hypothesized that corrosion in modular junctions may be driven by aggressive local environments, including fretting, metal ion release (cobalt ion, Co²⁺), low pH and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This dissertation aims to (1) analyze corrosion modes and potential causes in modular junctions; (2) identify chemically driven corrosion modes on CoCrMo alloys using simulated inflammatory modular taper …

Self-Poled P(Vdf-Trfe) Based Composites For Energy Harvesting And Wearable Sensor Applications, Lavanya Muthusamy

All Dissertations

The growing demand for flexible, low-power, and self-powered wearable electronic systems has accelerated research interest in polymer-based sensors and energy harvesting technologies. Among piezoelectric polymer materials, Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoro ethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)], over the years, has garnered significant attention due to its unique piezoelectric properties, high dielectric constant, mechanical flexibility, thermal stability, chemical resistance, biocompatibility and compatibility with scalable fabrication processes. Despite its advantages, conventional P(VDF-TrFE)-based devices often require external poling and face limitations in integration with low-cost, flexible substrates. To overcome these limitations, this research study explores the nanofiller approach, along with facile fabrication processes, and structural design strategies aimed at …

Ferroelectricity And Multiferroicity In Ultrathin Films Of Unconventional Transition Metal Oxide, Xin Li

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Ferroic orders of transition metal oxides, such as ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism, are determined by the intercoupling between spin, charge, lattice. Consequently, ferroic epitaxial thin films have attracted wide interest due to the profuse novel phenomena and the great application potentials for modern electronics. However, the mainstream of the study for transition metal oxides has focused on perovskite structure, limiting the understanding and discovery of novel phenomena associate with ferroic orders. In this thesis, the epitaxial films of hexagonal rare-earth ferrites (h-RFeO₃) and fluorite-structure hafnia oxide (HfO₂) are studied comprehensively, providing new experimental and theoretic …

Polymer-Enhanced Nanopore Sensing, Eugene Gyasi Agyemang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The resistive pulse technique characterizes single analytes by detecting fluctuations in the ion current as they pass through a narrow orifice connecting two electrolyte-filled chambers, each containing a single electrode. The amplitude, shape, frequency, and duration of these fluctuations primarily provide information about the analyte’s size, shape, concentration, and net surface charge, respectively. One configuration for resistive pulse measurements is of an electrolyte-filled nanopipette immersed in a bath, where the nanopipette tip acts as the nanoscale orifice. It was previously shown that incorporating the large quantities polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG 8K, 50% w/v) into the external electrolyte bath dramatically enhanced …

Enhancing The Design Of Strained Superlattice Gallium Arsenide Based Photocathodes With Distributed Bragg Reflector, Adam D. A. Masters

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Particle accelerators play a crucial role in our understanding of matter and the universe and have numerous practical applications in various fields. These devices enable scientists to examine the smallest components of matter, study the forces that govern their interactions, and probe conditions from the early universe. Moreover, accelerators are valuable in medicine, industry, and research, enhancing imaging methods, cancer therapies, and manufacturing techniques. As the experiments conducted at these facilities evolve and require higher precision, improved particle sources must continue to advance to keep up with their requirements. To do that, we enhanced the design of spin polarized electron …

A Strict Physicality-Preserving Scheme For A 2d Q-Tensor Flow With A Singular Potential, Md Mashud Parvez

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

Nematic liquid crystals are a state of matter that exhibit properties between those of conventional liquids and solid crystals. Their unique ability to align molecules in specific directions makes them essential in various applications, including display technologies and advanced materials. To model their complex behavior, mathematical frameworks such as the Q-tensor model are used to describe the orientation and degree of molecular order. In this work, we introduce a numerical scheme for a two-dimensional (2D) dynamic Q-tensor model, which is formulated as an L²-gradient flow driven by the liquid crystal free energy and incorporates a singular potential to …

Two Analytic Issues Arising From Models In Probability And Materials Science, Giang Vu Thanh Nguyen

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores two distinct topics centered on mathematical models in probability theory and materials science. The first part investigates a series of functions derived from an adaptive algorithm designed to address the score-based secretary problem, a classic challenge in probability theory. This problem involves making immediate decisions to select the best candidate from a sequence of interviews. The algorithm aims to maximize the probability of selecting the optimal candidate based on observed scores. We prove two fundamental analytic properties of this sequence of functions as a theoretic support of the algorithm: first, the functions in the sequence each possess …

Feasibility Study On Using Blue Clay As A Supplementary Cementitious Material (Scm)., Clark Lemon

Master of Engineering Theses

An effective strategy for reducing CO₂ emissions in the global cement industry is replacing a percentage of cement with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). As the availability of conventional SCMs such as fly ash and slag is decreasing, alternative SCMs such as calcined clays have been studied for their use as effective pozzolans. The present work investigates the feasibility of using a waste product from the quarrying industry known as blue clay as a viable SCM. It is composed of multiple clay minerals, predominantly muscovite. Raw and calcined at four temperatures (500, 650, 800, and 950°C), blue clay was analyzed …

Shape Memory Behavior In Medium To High Entropy Shape Memory Alloys: Design, Prediction, And Experimental Analysis, Hatim Raji

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation provides a data-driven system integrating synthetic data generation and machine learning (ML) techniques to create multicomponent SMA compositions with specific transformation temperatures (TTs). Models were trained to represent the nonlinear dependencies influencing martensitic transformation behavior by using elemental, thermodynamic, and process-related aspects. The capacity of the ML models on medium entropy NiTiHfPd and high entropy NiTiHfZrCu systems accuracy was confirmed by experimental validation showing TTs closely matched with model outputs.

Development Of A Wearable Biosensor For Cortisol Detection In Human Sweat Utilizing Pani/Peo Polymer Blend And Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots, Cesar Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

Since the development of the first biosensor in 1962, the evolution of commercially available wearable biosensors has been driven by an increasing consumer interest in real-time health tracking. However, challenges related to sensor sensitivity and cost have hindered progress. Deploying a novel approach, the biosensor integrates a blend of Polyaniline (PANi) and Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) along with Nitrogen-doped Graphene Quantum Dots (N-GQDs) to enhance sensitivity and electroactivity, crucial for cortisol detection. To optimize performance, three distinct synthesis methods for N-GQDs; hydrothermal, microwave, and hot plate synthesis were compared employing a bottom-up approach utilizing citric acid (CA) as the primary reactant …

Advancing Multi-Physics Modeling For Microwave Heating: Application In Micro-Reactor Design And Optimization, Raghav Adhikari

All Theses

Microreactors are a type of small-scale chemical reactors for achieving reduced volume, improved product selectivity and higher reaction rate. It allows precise temperature control, which is crucial for sensitive chemical processes. Microreactors can be employed as key components of conducting small-scale reactions with improved reactor configuration and process efficiency. It is important to identify a localized and precise heating mechanism to trigger and control the corresponding chemical reactions.

In fact, microwave heating has gathered significant attention in recent years due to its ability to deliver efficient, rapid, and localized heating, which can accelerate reaction rates and enhances the reaction selectivity. …

Grain Boundary Migration And Radiation Induced Segregation In Fe-Cr Alloys, Mohit Dhoriya

All Theses

Radiation-induced segregation (RIS) is a significant phenomenon that occurs in alloys subjected to irradiation, particularly in environments such as nuclear reactors. This thesis investigates RIS in ferritic Fe- Cr alloys through the use of Atomic Kinetic Monte Carlo (AKMC) simulations, focusing on the interaction between solute atoms and migrating grain boundaries. The study explores the influence of temperature, solute concentration, and grain boundary velocity on solute drag, a critical process driving RIS. The results show that solute migration is strongly influenced by the presence of vacancies and interstitials generated under irradiation, which are absorbed by grain boundaries and other defect …

Material Extrusion 3d Printing Of Metal Alloy: Material, Methods And Application., Sihan Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing presents a promising pathway for producing metal components with complex geometries while avoiding the safety hazards associated with loose powder handling in conventional metal additive manufacturing processes. This dissertation investigates the development and optimization of MEX processes for aluminum alloys, addressing critical challenges in feedstock formulation, printing parameter optimization, and post-processing strategies. Three distinct approaches were explored to advance the capabilities of aluminum MEX: filament-based processing of 6061 aluminum, paste-based extrusion of 6061 aluminum, and development of a novel aluminum-magnesium-tin alloy system for space manufacturing applications. The filament-based approach successfully demonstrated the production of 6061 …

Integration Of Highly Mismatched Iii-Sb Virtual Substrates On Silicon Via Interfacial Misfit Arrays For Short-, Mid-, And Long-Wave Infrared Applications, Trent Garrett

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Lattice constants of the III-V semiconductors range from 5.45 Å (GaP) to 6.48 Å (InSb). III-V semiconductors are grown on commercially available substrates made from binary III-V materials (e.g., GaAs, InP, and GaSb), or group IV materials (e.g., Si or Ge). These substrates offer very high quality, but only offer access to a small number of specific lattice constants. Given this constraint, it is desirable to develop growth methods that would allow the grower to modulate from the substrate lattice constant into the lattice constant of the material structure under investigation.

Device structures made from III-V semiconductors lattice-mismatched to these …

Considerations For Developing Dna-Templated Dye-Aggregate Systems, Simon Kristopher Roy

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Molecular excitons have been the subject of significant research interest for nearly 100 years. Molecular excitons arise when conjugated organic molecules (dyes) are excited such that the resulting excitation is delocalized over multiple dyes in a wavelike manner. The shared excited states that allow the excitation energy to hop between molecules is of particular interest for applications that can make use of the wavelike properties of excitons, including applications in quantum information science. A key challenge for developing materials for these advanced applications is to overcome the knowledge gaps associated with precisely templating dyes with spatial control of their aggregation, …

Designing Self-Healable Aromatic Copolymers And Olefinic Composites, Samruddhi Yashwant Gaikwad

All Dissertations

Self-healing polymers capable of recovering from mechanical damage are promising materials for advanced applications, especially those involving mechanical and/or physical fatigue. In these studies, we have developed techniques to achieve autonomous self-healing in commodity Styrene/n-butyl acrylate copolymers. The mechanism of self-healing in the designed polymers involves inter-and/or intrachain non-covalent interactions between π-cloud and polar linkages of acrylic nBA in random/preferentially alternating copolymers. A combination of spectroscopic tools, thermo-mechanical analysis, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations has been used to elucidate the mechanism of self-healing. These studies further show the incorporation of dipolar C-F groups to understand the effect of having fluorinated …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Magnetic Nanoparticles To Study Effective Magnetic Anisotropy For Biomedical And Catalytic Applications, Alexander Malaj

All Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on understanding how to tune the magnetic properties of nanoparticles through controlling the effective magnetic anisotropy (Keff), which is a key variable in determining a nanoparticle’s Néel relaxation time, which will dictate its magnetic behavior in various applications. In this work, magnetocrystalline anisotropy is tuned by synthesizing tri-metallic substituted ferrite (Fe3-x-yMnxCoyO4) nanoparticles with specific metallic compositions that were informed by computer simulations using density functional theory (DFT) to target magnetocrystalline anisotropy values. A drip synthesis was used to control the size and composition of the tri-metallic ferrites, which were revealed to be monodisperse and compositionally mixed by …

Synthesis, Structural Characterization And Optical Studies Of Silver-Indium-(Zinc)-Chalcogenide Fluorescent Quantum Dots, Sujal Acharya

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Developing a non-toxic, high-performance fluorescent nanomaterial is crucial for overcoming the environmental and health restrictions of current cadmium, and lead based quantum dots (QDs), which limit the application of quantum dots in optoelectronics and bioimaging. In this thesis, we synthesized environmentally friendly AgInS2 QDs by a colloidal method, systematically altering the In/Ag precursor ratio from 2 to 6 to study the impact on their optical and photophysical properties. Our goals were to find the optimal stoichiometry for maximum quantum efficiency and stability. We also investigated further improving optical and photophysical properties through shelling with ZnS. The emission spectra appeared broad, …